Chapter 2: Mission Impossible

Disclaimer: I do not own Covert Affairs

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Annie leaned back in her chair looking back and forth between her two bosses. Though she belonged to a different department now (one she still didn't know the name of) and therefore answered to Lena, Joan has been borrowing her for more and more missions. She was happy to be kept busy, but she sometimes felt like a rag doll being fought over on the playground.

The two women were all but glaring at each other. Neither willing to back down or give so much as an inch. She often wondered which of them would win in a fight. If there was no thought to decorum or professional consequence and they just had it out in a no-holds-barred match, they would both probably let go of whatever grudge they held on to.

"Bottom line," Lena said, finally."My operative, my call."

Joan scoffed. "And here I thought you were willing to see the bigger picture."

"What bigger picture? You have yet to read me in on anything."

She was about ready to claim some vacation time when the door opened behind her. She didn't have to turn her head to know who it was.

"Sorry, I'm late. Traffic's a nightmare." She felt his warmth as he moved just to her right. Her entire body stiffened at his nearness.

"Two black coffees." Auggie handed a cup to Joan and one to Lena. "And a milk with two sugars." He held it out for her, and much as she wanted smack it out of his hands, she took it wordlessly and dropped it in the wastebasket next to her.

"Now that you're here, we can begin." Joan picked up the files on her desk and handed them out.

Lena rolled her eyes, and as soon as she opened the file she gave a short laugh. "This? This is what you need Annie for?"

Annie scanned the first few pages and had to agree with her sentiment. She understood what a win this would be for the agency, but there was nothing in the dossier that said her skill set made her uniquely more qualified than anyone else, so why did it have to be her?

Unless…She didn't need to look up to see that he had come to the same insane conclusion. She could feel his eyes on her.

"Cover Operations did their homework. They spent months combing through the entire building floor by floor. Apparently, you two would make the most convincing estranged married couple. Everything centers on your abilities to sell it. You would, of course, have to spend a few days with Cover Ops to create your actual covers, but I'd expect you on the island no later than next week."

The mission was to pose as a married couple attempting to reconcile. They would need to apply their case, and upon acceptance, fly to Isla Eleazar, an island in the Atlantic off the coast of Spain. The story was Napoleon had gifted it to a Spanish madam as a token of his affections. A castle was built in the center, and was later converted into a resort. New owners turned the island into an exclusive haven for troubled couples. It was said to be the most successful couples' counseling center of the world. Dignitaries, moguls, powerful men from all walks of life flocked there to save their marriages. Little more was known about the people who owned it. Somehow they'd managed to survive fifteen years on an untraceable revenue stream. Many agencies from different countries have tried to infiltrate the ranks of the mysterious company, and now it seemed the CIA was giving it a shot.

Lena watched the carefully blank look that took over the younger woman's face. She had seen it before. For a while now, she'd noticed how Annie threw herself into her assignments. It was with a reckless drive, a desperate need to escape. Sometimes those feelings could be channeled into something productive. An agent as good as Annie could work through her issues. But she had a feeling it something to do with Auggie Anderson. Judging by the way he hadn't said a word or taken his attention from Annie once, she had a feeling he was an issue that wouldn't just go away.

She's never going to be able to focus until she gets past this. Knowing the last thing she could do was force her, she asked gently, "What do you think, Annie?"

A year ago, she would have jumped at the chance to go out in the field with Auggie again. But now, she could barely stand to be in the same room with him. She had worked hard to put up and maintain a distance between herself and her old handler. Part of her still hated him so much. She wanted to say no. Wanted to tell Lena and Joan where they could stuff their stupid, overly complicated operation.

But the blood was rushing to her head, and she had to really concentrate on keeping her breathing even. Being with Auggie. In his arms. Act like she loved him. Having him touch her. Act like he loved her. How could she do it?

To distract herself she skimmed through the rest of the file. According to the blue prints, the castlet was at the peak of a slope. There were hundreds of cabins scattered a good distance away. There were no specifics of their security system, their staff, or anything. "They boast of a 96 percent success rate. They balance a high-end security system that ensures their protection, and the safety and validity of their clientele, all while maintaining their anonymity? How is that possible?" No one could leave alone a mystery, but in their line of work everything unknown was treated like a potential threat until proven otherwise.

"We do have an informant and an office on the main land. This is, basically, an intel gathering mission. The two of you will complete the program and find out everything you can from the inside." Joan also watched Annie carefully. Gone was new recruit, eager to jump feet first at the slightest offer. This agent did not want to go on this mission. "Would you like a day to think about it? I'll need your answer by tomorrow."

She didn't feel like she was being given much of a choice, but she needed to stop waffling. This was her job, just another op. She would do her damnedest to remain objective and compartmentalize everything else. "No need. I'm in."

After going over a few more details, Annie was dismissed. Lena followed soon after.

"You were awfully quiet." Joan commented.

Auggie shrugged. "You know me. I'll take any mission that will get me into the field." That wasn't what she meant, and they both knew it. Not once had Annie addressed him, looked at him, or acknowledged he was even in the room.

"Talk to me, Auggie. The two of you were joined at the hip once."

He let out a long sigh. Ever since they were both reassigned a chasm had formed between them.

He had been busy. She had been busy.

Every time he did ask (back when she was speaking to him), all he got was, "Fine." Neither of them allowed to discuss anything with the other. Then there was Parker.

He had genuinely loved her. At a time where he desperately needed stability he held on to his relationship with her. He proposed. He had been so focused on Parker, that he didn't notice Annie pulling away from him. Even after Parker he still hadn't really noticed.

One night. One night was all it took for his world to come spiraling down. Weeks, months later, he still felt so lost.

Maybe because she'd known him for so long, or maybe because the building liked to gossip, she knew that he didn't need her sympathy just then.

"Agent Anderson!" She said sharply, smiling internally as he jerked to attention. "If you are incapable of completing this mission in an efficient and objective manner, let me know now, and I'll find someone who is."

She fought the grin when his sightless eyes narrowed. "Let me clear my desk and I'll meet with Cover Ops tomorrow. I'm assuming Stu will be running point? I'll touch base with him today."

"See that you do."

He nodded stiffly and all but stormed out.

Joan shook her head, letting loose the smile she'd been fighting.

A complicated mission and two operatives in a complicated relationship. History always had a funny way of repeating itself.

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Author's note: Still pretty vague, but I'm still picking up steam. I'm probably going to follow a little of the show's plot lines, but not all. Thanks to everyone for the support so far. Look forward to the next chapter! ~pagedancer